9Dragons Peek #6

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We learn about the varied reputations you can earn through your deeds in Indy21's kung-fu persistent state world

By IGN Staff

Developed during the latter portion of the Ming Dynasty, Tang Lang Ch'uan, the Northern Praying Mantis style of kung fu, is relatively new by the standards of Chinese martial arts. It is generally thought to have originated around 1600 AD, founded by a boxer named Wang Lang. Seeking to improve his skills, he had journeyed from his home in Shantung province to the Shaolin temple at Honan. While there, he happened to witness a battle in which a mantis defeated a far larger opponent, a cicada. Hoping to learn from the insect, the fighter took it back to his quarters and studied its movements, combining them with his previous training and footwork derived from the monkey style. His students adapted a number of variants bearing picturesque names such as Plum Blossom, Seven Stars, Secret Door, Jade Ring, Six Harmony and Dragging Hand.

Slated to launch in the North American market later this year, 9Dragons is a martial arts-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game set during a period of great turmoil when China's great clans were forced to rely upon their unique philosophies and the related fighting techniques for survival. Already a hit in Korea, the home market for developer Indy21, it has a total of nine factions players can join. One is the famed Shaolin, who are associated with the praying mantis style. Five others are the Wu-Tang, Gai-Pan, Lu-Lin, Mi-Gong and Mo-Jiao, with the remaining three as yet unknown. When we found out that Acclaim Games was making plans to bring the title to this market, with Persistent Worlds as its European counterpart, our interest in knowing more about it became even greater, which naturally led us to seek further information.

Well, in-game at least. This is the latest in a series of articles for RPG Vault, all of which have discussed aspects of the new MMO game - 9Dragons.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, you can create your own reputation. By undertaking certain quests, you can wear the mantle of what best describes you

9Dragons is the first authentic martial arts MMO, and is a mixture of Hero, House of the Flying Daggers and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon... and for you more mature gamers there is a little of Jackie Chan's Drunken Master thrown in!

In 9Dragons, you begin your journey as a poor beggar and, through self-discipline and martial arts training, you can rise to be a master of Kung Fu.

9Dragons is being launched simultaneously in North America by Acclaim (www.9Dragonsgame.com) and in Europe by Persistent Worlds (www.9dragonsonline.com).

Let's talk about Rep.

Your reputation, that is. Because like it or not, on the game grid or in the real world, our reputations often proceed us. It's like having a sign around your neck. In the real world, celebrities have their reputations built up (and often destroyed) by the content-hungry media. One day, you're at the top of your game, and the next, your reputation lies in tatters. So in 9Dragons, since we were unable to replicate the mass media (and word of mouth) of the real world, we introduced a system around which you can build a reputation.

Your reputation is built by successfully carrying out a range of special quests, or by killing special monsters, or even by killing other players in battle. How is your reputation represented in the game, you ask? Well, we simply place it over your head, like so...

Reputation

You can choose to display how other people see you, but beware, they are likely to behave differently towards you depending on your reputation.

But what's in a name? Why bother? Well, in 9Dragons, it's going to be more than just a few words above your avatar. A reputation can drastically magnify your abilities... add life, cause damage, ward off monsters, the list is vast. But, be warned, a reputation has to be earned first. For example if you wanted to be known as the "Conqueror of Death Valley", you would first have to fight your way through the Life and Death Dungeon. Among the rewards this title grants are additional increases in physical and spiritual attacks plus an improved critical hit rate.

Buff

In 9Dragons, there are currently 50 different reputations that can be earned, another example being "He Who Withstands Poison", which is quite useful if you go up against a disciple of the venomous Sacred Flower Clan. You may have a number of useful reputations under your belt, but to make it a bit more challenging, you can only use one at a time, and change it once every two hours.

Some reputations are earned by being better than other players at quests. The top 10 highest ranking players per server will automatically be given reputations such as "Monarch Dragon" or "Azure Dragon". Both these reputations come with additional effects, but again, beware; everyone will want them - so watch your back!

Sword battle

There are many other ways to earn a reputation in-game. Through PvP in especially adapted arenas, players can win or lose reputation / notoriety points. If you earn enough of these, you will even be given a unique reputation.

You can also gain a special reputation within your chosen clan by carrying out special quests. You could, for example, earn the title of "First Degree Disciple of Shaolin".

Monster

I have a soft spot, so one of my favorite ways of gaining a reputation is by helping others. I go on searches for lost children, seek missing treasures, and have even become a bodyguard. All of these good deeds have been rewarded with "Good Karma" reputations.

You can also gain your reputation for killing high-level monsters or being the fastest to complete particular quests. In crafting, you could earn your reputation for being a grand fisherman or a successful miner, and the gold will roll right in!

Girl and waterfall

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, you can create your own reputation. By undertaking certain quests, you can wear the mantle of what best describes you - Look for me in Wu-Tang territory as "Ken the Avenger of Wu-Tang!"

So, reputations do play an important part in 9Dragons. They are an opportunity to tell the world about your success, but be careful, some of the more coveted reps can be usurped by other players if not properly protected.

Chopper

Thanks for reading up on 9Dragons, and if you'd like more information please visit www.9dragonsgame.com for the North American site and www.9dragonsonline.com for the European site.